MEN’S singles defending champion Anthony Downes began his campaign for a seventh consecutive title by dealing a double bagel to junior player Joshua Kalekyezi, while Andre Erskine delivered the same fate to Ronald Murray, when matches in the GBTI Open tennis tournament continued at the GBTI Recreational Centre in Bel Air.
Downes also collected another double bagel on Sunday night, in his first match in the Mixed doubles category. A confident Downes is hoping to charge to another three-title tournament, after he walked away with the Men’s singles, Men’s doubles and Mixed doubles titles last year.
He’s expected to begin his Men’s doubles battle later this week, where he’s partnering up with Jason Andrews. Last year Downes won the match with Harry Panday.
His match against Kalekyezi moved him into the quarter-finals where he is next set to come up against Nicholas Glasgow.
In other matches in the Men’s singles round of sixteen, Benjettan Osborne was all business as he delivered a double breadstick against Oswin Coggins. Osborne was calm but relentless in his attack on Coggins’ game, with Coggins unable to answer Osborne’s laser focus.
Osborne will next face Leyland Leacock, after the latter made it into the quarter-finals by ousting Viraj Sharma 6-4, 6-1. As Leacock put on the pressure, Sharma handled it well, having to play decisive shots to accumulate his 5 games.

Downes’ men’s doubles partner, Andrews booked his first GBTI singles quarterfinals after overcoming his nerves against Khawn Rodney. Rodney opposed Andrew’s big serves, breaking serve early and maintaining a steady lead. However, a shaky 8th game allowed Andrews to up his game, and close off Rodney at 6-4, 6-2.
Glasgow entered the quarter-finals bouncing off a win against Jamal Goodluck, who got in only two games in the entire match, played in the final set. The level of Glasgow’s game should afford him the ability to poke some holes in the seemingly impervious game of Downes.
Over in the Men’s doubles Erskine was also to have another double bagel. Teaming up with Mark McDonald the pair defeated the team of Shimron Lewis and Ravin Rampersaud.
The Ladies’ open is being played in the round-robin format, and as matches took off, defending champion Afruica Gentle ploughed her way through three consecutive wins.
The budding rivalry between Cristy Campbell and Gentle was put to the test once more. Despite putting up a stronger defence, Campbell was unable to deny Gentle a 6-1, 6-3 victory.
Gentle took down Kalyca Fraser, winning 6-1, 6-3. It was Fraser who had given Gentle a close fight in the Sheltez Home Safe Security Tournament. However she was once again out-matched by Gentle’s aggression and placement. Gentle was able to play to 6-0, 6-0 against Grace McCalman, immobilising her at the baseline.
In other categories, matches were as follows:
Men’s 45s Single Quarterfinals
Rudy Grant claimed a 6-0, 6-3 win against Brazilian Ambassador Lineu Pupo DePaula.
Harry Panday closed 6-1, 6-2 against new player Colin France.
Mixed Doubles Quarterfinals
Joshua Kalekyezi and Alana Chung fought their way to a 6-3,, 6-4 victory against Ariel Khan/Nathalie Ramdyhan.
Daniel Lopes/Sarah Klautky had a comfortable 6-1, 6-1 win against Tyrese Trim/Charlese Adams.